What is VAR transmission?

Question

I am looking to purchase a new car, and Ive seen some with VAR auto transmission. what does it mean?

Answer 1

You must mean a variable automatic transmission. These transmissions do not have gears, instead they have to cone shaped pulleys and a steel belt that gives an infinitly variable ratio.

Answer 2

Well, The therory is that it works like a snowmobile gearbox. As the pulley expands and contracts it changes the gear ratio with actually shifting gears. This gives you a smooth power flow with out shifting.